ABUJA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named former Senate President Bukola Saraki as chairman of a seven-member reconciliation committee tasked with mending internal rifts ahead of the party’s critical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and its national convention scheduled for August.
The announcement was made on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Abuja by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors Forum.
Mohammed disclosed the formation of the committee during a press briefing following a joint meeting of current PDP governors, former governors, and key party leaders.
The move comes amid renewed efforts to unify the opposition party, which has seen high-profile defections in recent months, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We discussed some of the existential issues confronting our party, including those already circulating in the media and within our ranks,” Mohammed said.
“This reconciliation effort is designed to close ranks and eliminate misgivings between party leaders ahead of our NEC on May 27 and our early national convention in August.”
The newly formed committee comprises:
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Dr. Bukola Saraki – Chair
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Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State)
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Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State)
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Governor Peter Mbah (Enugu State)
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Senator Seriake Dickson (Former Governor of Bayelsa)
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Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Former Governor of Gombe)
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Chief Okezie Ikpeazu (Former Governor of Abia)
Mohammed said the committee would reach out to aggrieved members and offer solutions to disputes, court cases, and other internal misgivings.
While not pointing fingers, he suggested that some challenges may have been indirectly influenced by the ruling APC.
“We are not here to hide things under the carpet. Some of the litigations and divisions in the party must be addressed. We are not saying the APC caused them, but they might not be unconnected,” he stated.
The PDP Governors Forum also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to reclaiming lost ground and restoring unity.
“Rather than weakening us, these challenges are making us stronger,” Mohammed said, pledging to ensure a level playing field at the upcoming convention.
The meeting, held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, was attended by governors from Adamawa, Osun, Oyo, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, and Enugu, along with several party elders and stakeholders, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former governors Ahmed Makarfi, Aminu Tambuwal, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sule Lamido, Gabriel Suswam, and Liyel Imoke, among others.
Also present were acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum and members of the National Working Committee, including National Organising Secretary Umar Bature and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade.
